ITN Solicitors Overturn Refugee’s Wrongful Conviction

25/9/2013

Koshi Mateta fled the Democratic Republic of Congo in March 2009 fearing that his life was in danger. He was arrested on his arrival at Heathrow Airport and despite claiming asylum, was charged with an offence of Possessing a False Identity Document with Intent. He pleaded guilty to this offence and was sentenced to 9 months imprisonment. At no point was he advised that his refugee status entitled him to a defence. In July, the Court of Appeal quashed his conviction, accepting that “a clear injustice” had been done.

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